Rations

     In "A Narrative of a Revolutionary War Soldier Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin," first anonymously published in 1830 (with a recent copy of 2001 discussed below) a common theme is given throughout – hunger. Joseph describes his hunger during the campaign of 1778 by the following statement: “I was as hungry as a vulture and as empty as a blown bladder.” He and his “mess mates” went without anything more often as not.  Joseph concludes that if they had been able to receive their full allowance of victuals per man, it would have been:
~ 1 pound of good and wholesome fresh or salt beef or ¾ of a pound of good salt pork
~ 1 pound of good flour, soft, or hard bread
~ 1 quart of salt to every hundred pounds of fresh beef
~ Quart of vinegar to a hundred rations
~ A gill of rum, brandy, or whiskey per day
~ A little soap and candles
     After reviewing the diary of Ebenezer Denny in May 1781, there is a description of eating Indian Corn meal, blackberries, and cooked provisions on their way from Carlisle to York. After striking their tents, he describes what took place: “…about eight or nine o'clock, as we found water, a short halt was made, the water-call beat; parties, six or eight from each company, conducted by a non-commissioned officer, with canteens, fetched water. Seldom allowed to eat until twelve o'clock, when the arms were stacked, knapsacks taken off, and water sent for by parties as before.
     Officers of a company generally messed together, sometimes more; one of their servants carried cooked provisions for the day; no cooking until night. Not acquainted with the country  in our route, but understood that we were marching much about-very circuitous-keeping off the Blue Ridge close on our right. This to avoid the enemy and secure our junction with the Marquis Lafayette.”
     The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress have several references in General Orders, letters, and meeting minutes of the Congress regarding rations for officers of all ranks. What was provided varied by area of the country and availability of the food. When going through these items, you will notice that the amounts of rations change from the initial quantities. I’ve also included letters from General Washington regarding provisions and supplies being sent to different areas of the country which include those in dire need. Yet consider the number of mouths he had to ensure were fed in order to fight. Also consider the angst that he felt when he found out his men were starving and supplies were not getting to them.
(NOTE: This is not meant to be a comprehensive work of rations, but to give the reader an understanding of what would have been directed for issue. I have kept most letters in tact so the reader will get the full idea of what is taking place. For those who just want to see the provisions, those areas are in red letters.)
Head Quarters, Cambridge, August 8, 1775.
Parole Portsmouth. Countersign Northumberland.
     As the number of absent Sick by the last returns, are astonishingly great, it is ordered that the Names of each man (absent under that pretence) be given in by the Commanding Officer of each Regiment, and signed by him; setting forth the Town which each particular Soldier is gone to, that the Committee thereof may be applied to, to inspect into the Nature of thei Complaints, and make report of those, who are fit for duty. It has been intimated to the General, that some Officers, under pretence of giving Furloughs to Men, recovering from Sickness, send them to work upon their Farms, for their own private Emolument, at the same time, that the public is taxed with their pay, if not with their provisions; These insinuations being but obliquely made, the General is unwilling to believe, that any Officer can be so lost to all Sense of honour as to defraud the public in so scandalous a Manner, and therefore does not at present pay any further Regard, to the Insinuation, than to declare, that he will shew no Favor to any Officer, who shall be found guilty of such iniquitous practices: But will do his utmost endeavours, to bring them to exemplary punishment; and the disgrace due to such Mal-conduct.
     The following is the Ration of Provisions allowed by the Continental Congress unto each Soldier (viz)
[Note: The first mention of the ration constituent made in the Journals of the Continental
Congress is of Nov. 4, 1775.]
- One pound of fresh beef, or ¾ of a pound of Pork, or one pound of Salt Fish, pr. diem.
- One pound of Bread, or Flour pr. diem.
- Three pints of Peas, or Beans pr. Week, or Vegetables equivalent, at 5/ pr. Bushel for
Peas or Beans.
- One pint of milk pr. Man, pr. Diem, when to be had.
- One half pint of Rice, or one pint of Indian meal pr. Man, pr. Week.
- One quart of Spruce Beer per man, pr. diem, or 9 Gallons of molasses pr. Company of 100
Men.
- Three pounds of Candles to 100 Men pr. Week, for Guards &c.
- Twenty-four pounds of soft, or eight pounds of hard Soap for 100 Men per week.
- One Ration of Salt, one ditto fresh, and two ditto Bread, to be delivered Monday morning; Wednesday morning the same. Friday morning the same, and one ditto salt Fish.
     All weekly allowances delivered Wednesday morning, where the number of regiments are too many to serve the whole the same day, then the Number to be divided equally, and one part served Monday Morning, the other part Tuesday Morning, and so through the week.
Head Quarters, Cambridge, September 21, 1775.
Parole Hanover. Countersign Ipswich.
     Whereas frequent Applications are making to the General, Commander in Chief, by Officers of all Ranks and Denominations for an allowance of Rations of provisions, which are not only absolutely necessary, but usual and customarily allowed to them--The General has thought proper to order, and direct, that from the first day of July last, there be Issued by the Commissary General, the following proportion of rations. Viz--
     Rations: To each Major General Rations 15, Brigdr. General 12, Colonel 6, Lt. Colonel 5, Major 4, Captain 3, Subaltern 2, and to each Staff Officer 2.
George Washington, December 24, 1775, General Orders
Headquarters, Cambridge, December 24, 1775.
Parole Alfred. Countersign Hopkins.
     By order of his Excellency General Washington, a Board of General Officers sat yesterday in Cambridge, and unanimously recommended the following Rations to be delivered in the manner hereby directed--Viz: Corn'd Beef and Pork, four days in a week. Salt Fish one day, and fresh Beef two days. As Milk cannot be procured during the Winter Season, the Men are to have one pound and a half of Beef, or eighteen Ounces of Pork pr. day. Half pint of Rice, or a pint of Indian Meal pr Week--One Quart of Spruce Beer pr day, or nine Gallons of Molasses to one hundred Men pr week. Six pounds of Candles to one hundred Men pr week, for guards. Six Ounces of Butter, or nine Ounces of Hogs-Lard pr week. Three pints of Pease, or Beans pr man pr week, or Vegetables equivalent, allowing Six Shillings pr Bushel for Beans, or Pease--two and eight pence pr Bushel for Onions--One and four pence pr Bushel for Potatoes and Turnips--One pound of Flour pr man each day--Hard Bread to be dealt out one day in a week, in lieu of Flour.
     The above allowance is ordered to be issued by the Commissary General to all the Troops of the United Colonies, serving in this department; until the Honble. the Continental Congress, or the Commander in Chief thinks proper to alter it.
     Capt. Wentworth Stewart of Col Phinney's Regt. tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Bricket was president, for "disobedience of Orders, and gross abuse to Lieut. Col. March, of the said Regiment"--The Court are unanimously of opinion that Capt. Stewart is guilty of repeated abuse to Lieut. Col. March, and therefore adjudge that he ask pardon of Col. March; before all the Officers of the Regiment, and at the same time receive a severe reprimand from Col Phinney--
     John Wales in Capt. Williams Company, Col. Greaton's Regiment, tried at the above Court
Martial for "robbing the Qr. Master General's Store"; The Court find the Prisoner guilty of a Breach of the 49th. Article for regulating the Massachusetts Army, and therefore adjudge him to receive Ten Lashes upon the bare back, with a Cat o' Nine-tails.
     The General approves the above Sentences and Orders them to be executed the first fair day.
George Washington to New York Provincial Congress, June 13, 1776
Head Quarters, New York, June 13, 1776.
     Sirs: I am informed that a Number of persons on Long Island (by character not the most friendly to the cause of the United Colonies) have in their hands considerable Quantities of Pork and other provisions; which they refuse to part with for Continental Bills they may have other reasons for their Conduct, still more detrimental and therefore I must beg the Interposition of your Congress in this Matter, so as to prevent the evils which are much to be apprehended. The Commissary General will purchase all their Provisions, at good prices and give them Continental Bills in pay; Gold and Silver he has none. The provisions are wanted for the Army, and those who are wellwishers to the Cause, and live in exposed Situations, will undoubtedly be glad to dispose of them; the disadvantages which may result to the Public, by leaving them in the Hands of Men of a different complexion, are too obvious to need animadversion.
[Note: The legislature answered (June 15) that it depended on the Commissary General to obtain the provisions desired and that it had "in contemplation some general and effectual measures for securing the live stock in certain parts of the Colony for the benefit of the Army." Its letter is in the Washington Papers.]
     I have your report respecting the obstruction of the navigation of the Hudson's River under Consideration, and am pursuing measures to carry it into Execution, with all possible Dispatch.
     With great Respect, I am &c.
George Washington to Philip J. Schuyler, July 17, 1776 (This one is reduced to those relevant points regarding provisions.)
New York, July 17, 1776.
     Dear Sir: Yesterday Evening I was favored with yours of the 12th. Inst. with its several Inclosures…
     I am extremely sorry to have such unfavorable Accounts of the Condition of the Army. Sickness of  itself is sufficiently bad; but when Discord and Disorder are added, greater Misfortunes cannot befall it, except that of a Defeat. While they prevail, there is but little Hopes of Things succeeding well. I must intreat your Attention to these Matters, and your Exertions to introduce more Discipline, and to do away the unhappy pernicious Distinctions, and Jealousies between the Troops of different Governments. Enjoin this upon the Officers, and let them inculcate, and press home to the Soldiery, the Necessity of Order and Harmony among them, who are embark'd in one common Cause, and
     [Note: Gates had written (July 16) that since the beginning of May the loss sustained in the northern army from the enemy, and by death and desertion, amounted to more than 5,000 men, and that 3,000 were then sick.] mutually contending for all that Freeman hold dear. I am persuaded, if the Officers will but exert themselves, these Animosities, this Disorder, will in a great Measure subside, and nothing being more essential to the Service than that it should, I am hopeful nothing on their Parts will be wanting to effect it.
     [Note: Schuyler had written (July 12): "The most descriptive pen cannot describe the Condition of our army. Sickness, Disorder, and Discord reign triumphant; the latter occasioned by an illiberal and destructive Jealousy, which unhappily subsists between the Troops raised in different Colonies....The waste that has been made of provisions is incredible. Flour we have in plenty, but of pork not more than six hundred Barrels and fresh Beef extremely difficult to be procured."  Schuyler's letter is in the Washington Papers.]  The Scarcity of Provision which you mention, surprises me much. I had hoped, that an ample and competent Supply, for a considerable Time, was now in Store; nor can I but believe, the most lavish and extravagant Waste has been made of it. Not longer than three or four Days ago, and just after the two Men of War and Tenders passed by, as mentioned in my last, the Situation of the northern Army in Respect to this Article, occurred to my Mind, and induced an Inquiry after the Commissary about it, being certain the Water Communication with Albany would be intirely cut off, and was happy to find from him, that the Supplies he had forwarded, with such a Proportion of fresh Meat as could be procured, would be fully sufficient for 10,000 Men for four Months. This I informed Congress of, as a most fortunate Event. To be told now, that there is none, or next to none, is so contrary to what I expected, that I am filled with Wonder and Astonishment. I have informed the Commissary of it, who is equally surprised, and must request, as our Navigation is so circumstanced, that you will direct those whose Business it is, to use every possible Means, to provide such Supplies as may be necessary, and that proper Attention be paid to the Expenditure, or it will be impossible ever to subsist that Army….
     P.S. July 18th.--10 O'Clock ante Meridiem. I have this Minute spoke to Mr. Trumbull again about Provisions and pressed his most vigorous Exertions; I believe he is determined to leave nothing undone on his Part and has already sent off some Persons upon the Business, of which, I suppose he will inform you or Mr. Livingston.
George Washington to Pennsylvania Safety Council, January 8, 1777
Morristown, January 8, 1777.
     Gentn.: I have been honored with your several Letters of the 3d. and 5th; and return you my thanks for your kind attention to the wants of the Army and endeavours to supply them; nor am I less obliged, by your notice of the Eclipse of the Sun, which is to happen to morrow; This event, without a previous knowledge, might affect the minds of the Soldiery and be attended with some bad Consequences.
     The various important Concerns, to which I am obliged to turn my attention, have prevented me from transmitting you the Intelligence I wished to have done. The Manoeuvre from Trenton, has been attended with happy effects; The evacuation of that, as well as Princeton, by the Enemy, who are now at Brunswick and the Posts below. I cannot enter upon a Minute and particular detail of the affair; and shall only add, that, in the Action, they must have lost Five hundred Men in killed, Wounded, and prisoners, besides the Stores they had in Princeton. Our loss in Slain is 6 or 7 Officers and about 25 or 30 Privates; the Number of Wounded is not ascertained; but in this list is the brave and Worthy Genl. Mercer, who is made prisoner. he was reported to be dead; but, from the last intelligence from Princeton, he was alive, and there were hopes of his doing well. I intended to have proceeded from Princeton to the Surprize of Brunswick, but was prevented by the arrival of the Enemy at the former, in their return from Trenton, before our Men had an Opportunity of resting themselves, or getting the least refreshment, after their fatiguing and hasty march. There have been two or three small Skirmishes since, between some of their Parties and those of the Militia of this State, in which the latter have been successful and made a few Prisoners. The most considerable was on Sunday Morning when 8 or 10 Waldeckers were killed and wounded, and two Officers and 39 or 40. privates taken, by a Party not superior in number and without receiving the least damage. I am etc.
[Note: The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison.]
George Washington to Francis Wade, January 11, 1777
[Note: Deputy Quartermaster General.]  Morris Town, January 11, 1777.
     You are hereby Authorized and empowered to collect all the Beef, Pork, Flour, Spirituous Liquors &c. &c. not necessary for the Subsistence of the Inhabitants, in all the parts of East Jersey, lying below the Road leading from Brunswick to Trenton, and as fast as the Stores are collected, to be removed to New town, Bucks County in Pennsylvania, and, there stored, and formed into proper Magazines.
     You are further Authorized and empowered, to press such Waggons, Carriages, &c. as may be necessary to transport the Provisions and Stores in the most expeditious manner to the place aforesaid. You are also to apply to the Council of Safety at Philadelphia, to furnish you with such Quantities of Salt, as may be wanted to cure the provisions you take in. You are first to notify the Inhabitants and request them, to bring in all the above enumerated Articles not necessary for their own Subsistence, at such places as you shall appoint, for which they shall be paid a generous price; But if any refuse to comply with the request, you are directed to take such Articles as they withhold, by force, giving the proper Certificates for the Articles so taken, payable when demanded. The Commanding Officers at the different Posts in East Jersey, are hereby directed to furnish you with such Assistance, as you may require to execute the above Business.
     The Quarter Master General, Thos. Mifflin Esqr. and the Commissary Genl. Thor. Lowry Esqr.,  are desired to furnish you with such sums of Money for their respective departments as you may require; for which you are to give your receipts and account to them for the Disbursements. I am &c.
George Washington, June 26, 1777, General Orders
Head-Quarters, Middle Brook, June 26, 1777.
Parole Japan. Countersigns Jamaica, Jamestown.
     The troops are to complete three days provisions of bread and flour, as soon as possible; and but one day's provision of flesh, if it be fresh, or three days provisions of Salt meat, if to be had, and to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. They will lodge themselves in the best manner they can this night, near the gaps of the mountains. From every gap, proper picquets are to be posted and patroles sent out during the night. 
Joseph Pettingill, John Wiley, Seth Drew, and Baron Johann de Kalb, December 20, 1777, Report on the Quality of Beef and Provisions
In Camp, December 20th, 1777
     We the subscribers being appointed by Committee to Inspect the Beaf drawn for Gen’l Leanard’s Brigade under the Command of Colo. Bailey Commandant we have examined the Beaf and Judge it not fit for the use of human beings, unwholesome, & destructive to nature for any person to make use of such feede Joseph Pettigill, Capt.
     The same complaints are made by John Wiley, Capt. G’l Sallerson’s Brigade. They all complain Seth Drew, Capt. also that the flours being sour is almost of no use.
Baron deKalb

Continental Congress, June 9, 1778, Resolution on Army Rations
In Congress, June 9th 1778
     Whereas double have arisen as to the sum which shall be paid for the rations, which now may be due and owing to officers in the service of these States, & also as to the vouchers for drawing the same, by reason whereof the intentions of Congress with respect to such officers are frustrated.  Resolved, that the value of the rations due since the first day of last January ‘till the first instant, be estimated at one third of a dollar, & that the officers do present their accounts to the paymasters general, or deputy paymasters general, who shall adjust and pay the same.
     Provided always, that the said officers shall make oath to their accounts respectively, which oaths the said pay masters general are hereby empowered & directed to administer &transmit the said accounts with receipts thereon to the Treasury.
     Extract from the minutes.  Recd 12th

Continental Army General Officers Board, August 3, 1778, Report on Rations
Ration Proposed August 3rd 1778
One pound and a quarter of Flour or soft bread or one pound of hard bread.

Twenty, 20 Ounces of Beef, Fruit or Salt or a pound of pork or a pound Fish and five ounces of Butter.

A Jill of Rum or Whiskey with the usual amount of soap and candles.
     On considering the above Ration we think it is a sufficient allowance for the Troops of the United States and Recommend the insisting the same in General Orders when His Excellency Gen. Washington Commander in Chief shall think proper

Signed Jno. Nixon, Horatio Gates, &tc
John Sullivan, September 10, 1778, General Orders on Troop Rations
Extract from Gen’l Orders Sept. 10th 1778-
     Congress having by resolve the 26th last Month empowered the Command in Chief of this
Departments to determine the Rations to be resourced to the Troops from Time to Time Giving of in lieu and in full satisfaction of such that are scarce and not to be had and which have been heretofore being deemed part of the Rations.” – The Gen’l requests Gen’l Glover and the Officers commanding Corps in his Brigade of Col Jacksons Detachments to meet tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock and fix upon what in their opinion will be the most suitable and just rations Delt out to the Troops.
Extract from Gen’l Orders Sept. 13th 1778-
     The Commissary will deliver the troops the following Rations each dayper Man (Viz) one Pound and a half of Beef or in lieu thereof Eighteen ounces of Pork one Pound of Bread five days in a week to flour and Two day Equivalent in Rice – in lieu of Pease Milk or Beer as allowed by Congress in June 1777 being three tenths of a Ration which is more Estimated at our shilling & six pence LMY – They will have the same valued in potatoes and onions delivered to them daily – the Soap and rice makings at Tenth to be Delivered according to the above mentioned resolves –
George Washington, March 23, 1779, General Orders
Head Quarters, Middle Brook, Tuesday, March 23, 1779.
Parole Harkimer. Countersigns Gideon, Fontenoy.
     The Commander in Chief directs that the following ration be delivered to the Army until further orders:
25 ounces of beef, or 18 ounces of Pork.
16 ounces of bread or flour.
1 gill of spirits occasionally.
The usual quantity of soap and candles.
George Washington, November 13, 1779, General Orders
Head Quarters, Moore's House, Saturday, November 13, 1779.
Parole Flanders. Countersigns Florence, Florida.
     The Commissaries to issue the following quantities of meat or vegetables in lieu of the reduced ration of flour:
For every 100 lbs. of flour, reduced from the issues, 75 lbs. beef, or 50 lbs pork; or if received in vegetables, 2½ bushels pease; or 2½ bushels beans; or 8 bushels potatoes; or 12 bushels turnips; and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity.
George Washington, January 18, 1780, General Orders
Head Quarters, Morristown, Tuesday, January 18, 1780.
Parole Oliver. Countersigns Orpheus, Osmand.
     The Court Martial whereof Major General Howe is President is to meet tomorrow morning 11 o'clock.
A pound of hard or soft bread and one quarter of a pound of indian meal or a pound of flour and a pound of beef or fourteen ounces of pork to be the daily ration until further orders.
George Washington to Ephraim Blaine, April 7, 1780
Head Quarters, Morris Town, April 7, 1780.
     Sir: I find myself under the painful necessity of writing to you on the subject of our Provision supplies. The inclosed Return of to day comprehends the whole the Issuing Commissary has. Colo Dunham according to a Return of th[e 6th] of the stores under his direction, makes the whole of the meat kind amount only to 218 Barrels of Pork 20 Cattle and 11,030 lb of Beef; the last in the neighbourhood of Camp; the Cattle about 40 miles off in Sussex and the Pork distributed in not less than six places from thirty to sixty miles distance, and without any good prospect of its being brought on, or at least in season. This is all the meat I can hear of, both in and out of Camp, except some Pork said to be at Burlington, the quantity unknown, so that from the best estimate that can be formed we have only a certainty of supplies for four days, taking into the account the 11,030 Beef in the vicinity of Camp and the 20 Cattle and supposing part of the meat last Issued to the Troops may still remain in their hands. It is possible that some part of the Pork may be got in, in the course of that time, but if this should fortunately be the case, it can be of little avail. I have said nothing on the subject of Bread because the prospect as to this for the present, is not quite so alarming; but our supplies of this also claim your most active exertions. I shall expect to hear from you and to be informed of the prospects you have and that you will exert every nerve for the Arrays relief. I am &c.  [Note: In the writing of Richard Kidder Meade. The portion in brackets is supplied from the draft, which is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison. From a photostat of the original kindly furnished by Dr. A. S. W Rosenbach, of New York City.]
George Washington to John Adam, May 10, 1780
[Note: Deputy Commissary of Prisoners.]
Head Quarters, May 10, 1780.
     Sir: From the distressed situation in which I am informed Lt Colo Antill is on Long Island, I desire that you will send him a Barrel of Beef and One of pork, and Two Barrels of flour. They ought to be good. If You cannot procure them yourself, You will apply to the Commissary who must furnish them. The sooner Colo Antill can receive this supply the better. I am &c  [Note: The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison
George Washington to George Clinton, May 25, 1780
Head Quarters, Morris Town, May 25, 1780.
     Dr. Sir: Since my Letter of the 23d and 24th which accompanies this, I have also directed the Issuing Commissary Colo Stewart, to forward a Hundred Barrels of flour from hence without delay to New Windsor to be conveyed from thence by Colo Hay to Albany to Colo Van Schaick, as a farther supply for Fort Schuyler. I hope it will not be long before it arrives at Albany, from whence I have requested Colo Van Schaick to exert himself in concert with the Quarter Master, to have it sent to the Garrison with the greatest possible expedition. Perhaps it may be in Your Excellency's power to facilitate the transportation in some degree, and if it should I am confident it will be done. I should be happy if we could throw a hundred or more Barrels of Salt provision into the Garrison, but as I mentioned in my Letter of the 23d and 24th, I do not know from whence it is to come. I have found, however, on inquiry of Colo Stewart, that he believes from Letters in his possession, there is a quantity belonging to the public in Connecticut. He does not know the places of deposit, but imagines these can be ascertained either by Mr Nathaniel Stevens, an Assistant Issuing Commissary at Fish Kills or by Mr Peter Colt, who was in the purchasing department at Hartford. I inclose Your Excellency an Order for a Hundred Barrels, wherever it may be found, and from the Unhappy, thrice unhappy state of our finance and Quarter Master's department, must leave it with You to devise the means of getting it to Albany and to have it forwarded from
thence to the Garrison. I confide in Your Excellency's goodness to excuse the trouble I give you on this occasion, which nothing but the cause I have mentioned should have induced me to have offered. I have the Honor etc.
     [Note: The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison. It is followed by drafts of the orders referred to, to wit: "One Hundred Barrels of Salt Provision (beef or Pork) are to be delivered to the Order of His Excellency Govr Clinton whenever demanded, for the use of the Garrison at Fort Schuyler, by Any Commissary or Commissaries or other public Agent of the United States having the same in the State of Connecticut." and "His Excellency Governor Clinton having received my Order on any Commissary or Commissaries or public Agent of the United States having provision in their hands in the State of Connecticut, for One Hundred Barrels of Beef or pork, to be furnished for the use of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler. I request that the several quarter Masters will exert themselves as far as possible, in forwarding the transportation of the same.
David Humphreys to Charles Stewart, July 11, 1781
Head Quarters, Dobb's ferry, July 11, 1781.
     Sir: It is his Excellency's request that you will take immediate and effectual Measures, to have such a number of the Beef Cattle from the Eastern part of Connecticut and that part of Massachusetts contiguous to Rhode Island, furnished for the Militia Stationed at R Island, that they may not be under the necessity of consuming a single Barrel of salted Provision, if it can possibly be avoided.
     The Salted Provision to be repacked (if necessary) and kept sacredly as a reserve in the Magazine where it now is.
     All the Salted Beef, Pork and Fish near Connecticut River, is to be positively collected and deposited in Stores on the Water, so that it may be constantly removed in transports, whenever it shall become expedient and necessary. No more to be forwarded by land without explicit Orders for the purpose.
     The General desires an exact Return of what quantity may be transported by Water, should be made as soon as possible, specifying the different places at which it is deposited.
     The issuing Posts recommended by the Board of General Officers to be discontinued, are to be broken up without delay. I am &c.
     [Note: The draft is in the writing of and is signed "D. Humphrys, A. D. C."]